Anak Merdeka proud of auspicious birthdate

KUALA NERUS: Ibrahim Abdul Rahman and other Malaysians born on Aug 31, 1957, will celebrate their birthdays together with the nation's National Day celebration.

Ibrahim, who is the oldest child of Abdul Rahman Salleh (now deceased) and Wan Fatimah Wan Ahmad considers himself lucky to be brought to the world on that day.

"My late father always told me that my first cry after I was born came simultaneously with the shouts of 'Merdeka' on the radio.

"I arrived earlier than expected. My mother had labour pains when people were making preparations for Merdeka Day at Dataran Pahlawan, Malacca.

"According to a midwife, my mother was expected to deliver only in early September. Who had expected that I would be 'anak Merdeka' (independence child)," he said when met by Bernama.

Known as 'Ibrahim Merdeka' among the village folk, he said it was when he entered primary school at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Petiti that he realised how lucky he was to be born on that auspicious date.

It is a special date and it made me feel special to be born on that day with the extra attention I got from teachers.

"I always got a pat on the back from my teachers. They always advised me to study hard so that I can be a useful citizen and be able to contribute for religion, race and country.

"Every year, I will be feted at the school's Merdeka Day celebration and receive gifts from various quarters," said the businessman.

He said the special treatment he got as an 'Independence child' continued even when he went to secondary school at Sekolah Menengah Seberang Takir.

"Every year, I and two other 'Anak Merdeka' will be invited to the Mentri Besar's house (then Tan Sri Wan Mokhtar Wan Ahmad) and will be feted in conjunction with Merdeka Day celebration.

"The two other Anak Merdeka are women and they are from Kemaman. Unfortunately, I have lost touch with them," said Ibrahim, who has two children.

On his preparation for this year's birthday celebration, Ibrahim said he was decorating his house with the Jalur Gemilang.

"I'll also attend the doa and hajat prayer hosted by several quarters in conjunction with Merdeka Day," he added.

"Every year, I'll be involved in the Merdeka Day parade and normally my children will celebrate my birthday on the evening of Aug 31," he added. — Bernama